Green tech won't put you in the red

PEDAL POWER: Chin cycles with iGEM green ambassador, Shriya Biaspal to power up a toy car at a media briefing leading up to iGEM 2012.

By JO TIMBUONG
bytz@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: It is not enough to go around proclaiming that green is good for the environment and healthier living.

The masses must also be shown that going green in their lives is not going to be expensive, said Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water.

He said the people must also learn that environmentally-friendly products and services are cost efficient, meaning they can help them save money.

He was speaking at a briefing for news media on the upcoming iGEM (International Green Tech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia) 2012.

Among the event's objectives is to show the many green technology products and services available; these range from home appliances to industrial clean-energy solutions.

Chin said the adoption of these technologies will help reduce the country's carbon footprint.

Malaysia aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 40%, following a pledge made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen three years ago.

But there is no point in just encouraging the use of green technologies if too few or no one uses them, Chin said.

He said the uptake of these technologies rests on teaching more people about employing such products and services, and we see iGEM helping us to achieve this goal.

The Government is doing its part via its Save (sustainability achieved via energy efficiency) initiative - which provides discount vouchers to consumers who want to buy energy-saving home appliances.

"Results have been encouraging and my ministry is thinking up more initiatives to further encourage consumers to adopt an environmentally-friendly lifestyle," Chin said.

iGEM 2012 is scheduled to open at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre tomorrow. It will last until Saturday.

There will be about 600 booths by more than 300 exhibitors, and visitors can look forward to seeing how green technology is employed in different countries and industries.

Also there, will be a Green Book Resource Centre where visitors can go learn more about green technologies.

The theme for iGEM 2012 is Green Tech for Growth, and the organisers are expecting about 100,000 visitors this year. Last year iGEM drew about 68,000 visitors.

For more information, point your web browser at www.igem.com.my/2012/.

source: http://techcentral.my/news/story.aspx?file=/2012/10/5/it_news/20121005201807&sec=it_news

Green ‘skyscrapers’

IMAGINE a city with skyscrapers, condominiums and malls all linked via pedestrian walkways to a pocket of parks with trees and pergolas in Kuala Lumpur

It could be a place where you can sit by and enjoy lunch or read a book under a canopy of trees similar to New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park.

Work in progress: Contractors working round the clock to complete KL’s latest park for the launch by Nong Chik today.

Under the government’s Greener KL programme which falls under the Greater KL/Klang Valley initiative, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) plans to create green spaces and plant more trees for city denizens to enjoy.

The first fruit of this green vision will be unveiled today when Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd launches a 3,716 sq m (40,000 sq ft) refurbished public park which the company had adopted and will be managing and maintaining for the next seven years.

Work in progress: Contractors working round the clock to complete KL’s latest park for the launch by Nong Chik today.

The tie-up with Standard Chartered is the first for DBKL, and according to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib, the local authority will be working with other private companies and NGO’s to get them to adopt and manage pockets of parks within the city and its outskirts.

“Everyone is looking at prime spots such as KLCC and but we have other vacant spots which are suitable to be converted into small parks and green areas.

The city and its residents can benefit with having more parks and green areas to reduce stress and create a healthy environment, not to mention an increase in property value,’’ he said.

Ahmad Phesal said under the Greener KL programme, City Hall is also working on linking these parks with other green belts such as playgrounds, ponds, rivers and lakes.

This includes planting trees all over the city and even towards the outskirts of town.

 Plenty to do: Workers have their hands full putting the park together.

Relaxing environment: An artist impression of the upper deck which can double up as a venue for stage performances.

“Last year, a total of RM14mil was allocated by the Federal Government to plant trees everywhere, and I am happy to say that we have planted over 34,000 trees all over the city and its outskirts,” said Ahmad Phesal.

Up until August, 23,000 trees were planted and City Hall is hoping to reach the target of 30,000 or more by year-end.

“The response to our tree-planting programme is wonderful. There are many organisations and private companies who are willing to work with us but planting trees alone is not enough.

“We must also ensure that the trees we plant are cared for and maintained and nurtured.

“We must instil a maintenance culture amongst city folks to care for the trees they plant

“Apart from giving shade, trees cuts down heat, gives oxygen and add quality to our lives, and that is worth all the effort,’’ said Ahmad Phesal.

source:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/9/25/central/12073298&sec=central